Newcastle’s on-loan star out injured

ACHRAF Lazaar has picked up a hamstring injury which could rule him out until April.

The former Palermo star was eager to use his loan spell with Sheffield Wednesday to prove himself to Rafa Benitez after being frozen out by the Magpies.

However, the Morocco international is facing a stint in the treatment room and could be left with just a month of the season to salvage something from another wasted campaign.

His manager Steve Bruce said: “We actually will not know the severity of the injury until he has a scan.

“You have to wait 48 hours until you can re-assess it really so we will have to wait.

“However, you have to say the early stages don’t look very good for the boy to be perfectly honest.

“Fingers crossed it is not as bad as we fear.

“We have had ten injuries the other night and now with Lazaar all of a sudden it is ridiculous numbers.

“So it is something which I have to address but in terms of the style of play we want to try and implement I think the players have enjoyed what they are doing.

“Of course when you get a couple of results, everybody enjoys it so long may it continue.” On Lazaar’s injury, Bruce said: “Weeks, but at least six I would have thought.”

However, the fullback seems optimistic it could be sooner and posted a picture on Instagram of himself at home with a message reading: “I will continue to work hard during recovery and will be back soon.”